Combined level, plumb, and inclinometer.



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UNTTED STATES ATENT Trice.

CLINTOND. HODGE, OF VVATERTOWN, NEV YORK.

'COMBINED LEVEL, PLUMB, ANDINCLINOIVIETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,182, dated August 29, 1899.

Application filed March 28, 1898. Serial No. 675,444. (No model.)

' To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON D. l-IODGE, a citizen of the United States,residin g at Watertown, in the county of Jefferson and State of' New York, have invented a new and usefulA Combined Level, Plumb, and Inclinometer, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to combined levels, plumbs, and inclinometers in which a pivoted plumb-bob serves as an index-hand or pointer for a scale which is secured within the device.

The objects of the invention are to improve and simplify the construction of devices of this character, whereby but a few parts will be required to makea practical, efficient, and accurate device, thereby greatly decreasing the cost of these articles.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of the several details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described,and particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a level embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a Vertical longitudinal section through the indicating devices. Fig. 3 is avertical transverse section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outer rin gwhich serves as a support for the lenses. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ring on which the scale is formed. Fig. 6 isa plan view of one of the lenses.

Similar reference-numerals indicate similar parts in the several gures.

1 indicates a bar of wood or other suitable material similar to that employed for .the ordinary spirit-level and the upper and lower sides of which are parallel. This bar maybe of any size or length as the manufacturer may determine. Midway the length of' this bar 1 a circular opening 2 is formed which extends transversely through it. The edges of this opening on each side of the bar are beveled, as indicated at 3. A recess 5is also formed at one side of the opening, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

6 indicates a metallic split ring, the meeting ends of which are bent outwardly at a right angle to form flanges 7, and these anges are adapted to be firmly secured together by bolts S or other similar securing devices. The flanges 7 are adapted to fit within the recess 5 to hold the ring G stationary within the transverse opening of the bar. At each edge of this ring annular V-shapcd beads Qare formed, which project outwardly from the main portion of the ring. V-shaped annular grooves 10 are also formed in the inner periphery of' the ring 6, and these grooves form seats for the lenses 1l, which will be firmly secured within their seats when the anges 7 are bolted together. It will be noted that in formling the annular beads upon the stationary ring they also provide the grooves 10.

1 2 indicates an inner ring which may be of metal or any other suitable material, and on the inner face of which a scale 13 is formed in any desired manner. This ring 12 fits snugly within the ring 6 and lies between the inner faces of the lenses 11.

The ring 6 is provided on one side with an elongated opening 14, and the ring 12 is provided on its outer face with a toothed lug 15, which projects through the opening 14 in the ring 6.

16 indicates a bore extending vertically through the bar 1, and midway its length this bore intersects one side of the opening 2, and the toothed lug 15 projects at its point into thebore 1G. A rod 17 fits loosely Within the bore 16 and is provided midway its length with a worm 1S, which engages the toothed lug` 15 on the ring 12. Each end of the rod 17 is reduced, as indicated at 19, and these reduced ends are seated in openings 2O in plates 21, which are firmly secured to the bar l, the said plates being let in fiush with the surface of the bar. Each end 19 is provided with a notch or recess 22 for the reception of a screw-driver, by means of which the rod 17 may be turned from either end, and thereby cause the worm 18 to operate the toothed lug 15 on the ring 12 for the purpose of adjusting the latter to bring the scale into proper position.

23 indicates a plumb-bob which is made in two sections adapted to be screwed together, as indicated at 25 in Fig. 2. The lower section 24 of the plumb-bob is hollow in order that a heavy liquid may be contained in it for the purpose of quickly bringing the plumbbob to the center of gravity and decreasing its oscillation. The upper section 25 of the IOO tending from it at diametrically opposite points, and these spindles are journaled in openings 27 in the center of the respective lenses. These openings 27 may be drilled or otherwise formed in the lenses and they form practically frictionless bearings for the spindles. Both ends of the plumb-bob are pointed and either end may therefore be used as an index or pointer for the scale.

2S indicates plates which are provided with central openings 29,and the metal around the openings is bent inwardly at a suitable inclination to t the beveled edges 3 of the opening in the bar l, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The sides of the bar l are recessed to receive these plates 28 in order to brin g the outer faces of the bar and the plates flush with each other, and the plates are secured to the bar by the screws 30 or other suitable fastening devices.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the plumb-bob Will always occupy a perpendicular position irrespective of the position which the bar l will occupy. The device may therefore be used for either a level, a plumb, or an inclinometer, as desired, and it is obvious that if the scale is set in its proper position when the bar l is absolutely level the angle of inclination of any object to Which the bar l may be applied Will be accurately indicated by .either end of the plumb-bob on the scale. It is also evident that the position of either end of the plumbbob can be readily seen through either of the lenses, and consequently that the device may be used in any position.

It will be understoodthat changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing an opening provided through one side,

thereof, a scaled ring having a toothed lug, a

pair of spaced lenses and a plumb-bob mounted between the lenses, the scaled ring being loosely mounted inside of the other ring and between the lenses, the toothed lug extending through the opening of the ring, and means extending through the bar and engaging the toothed lug whereby the scaled ring may be adjusted, substantially asset forth.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bar having a transverse opening formed therethrough, and a pair ot spaced lenses fitted Within the opening, of a plumb-bob mounted between said lenses, the bob being in two separable sections, the lower section being hollow and internally threaded, the upper section having a pointer at one end, an externally-threaded portion at the other end, and oppositely-extending spindles, the hollow section being adapted to receive a heavy liquid and the sections being adapted to be connected together by means of their threaded portions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing a my own I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CLINTON D. IIODGE.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH ATWELL, l. H. BRENNAN. 

